Clear, and coldest morning of
the winter. None but the rich speculators and quartermaster and commissary speculators
have a supply of food and fuel. Much suffering exists in the city; and prices
are indeed fabulous, notwithstanding the efforts of the Secretary of the
Treasury and the press to bring down the premium on gold. Many fear the high
members of the government have turned brokers and speculators, and are robbing
the country-making friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, against the day of
wrath which they see approaching. The idea that Confederate States notes are
improving in value, when every commodity, even wood and coal, daily increases
in price, is very absurd!
The iron-clad fleet returned,
without accomplishing anything— losing one gun-boat and having some fifteen
killed and wounded. The lower house of Congress failed yesterday to pass the
Midshipman bill over the President's veto—though a majority was against the
President.
It is said, and published in
the papers, that Mrs. Davis threw her arms around Mr. Blair and embraced him.
This, too, is injurious to the President.
My wood-house was broken into
last night, and two (of the nine) sticks of wood taken. Wood is selling at $5 a
stick this cold morning; mercury at zero.
A broker told me that he had
an order (from government) to sell gold at $35 for $1. But that is not the
market price.
It is believed (by some
credulous people) that Gen. J. E. Johnston will command the army in Virginia,
and that Lee will reside here and be commander-in-chief. I doubt. The clamor
for Gen. J. seems to be the result of a political combination.
Mr. Hunter came to the
department to-day almost in a run. He is excited.
Lieut.-Gen. Hardee, of
Charleston, 26th (yesterday), dispatches to the Secretary that he has received
an order from Gen. Cooper (Adjutant-General) for the return of the 15th
Regiment and 10th Battalion North Carolina troops to North Carolina. He says
these are nearly the only regular troops he has to defend the line of the
Combahee—the rest being reserves, disaffected at being
detained out of their States.
The withdrawal may cause the loss of the State line, and great disaster, etc.
etc.
Official statement of Gen.
Hood's losses shows 66 guns, 13,000 small arms, etc. The report says the army
was saved by sacrificing transportation; and but for this the losses would have
been nothing.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp
Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 400-1